Vehicle spring cover



I JAZYENTOR wad ff" {MI A R GOLDRICK VEHICLE SPRING COVER Filed March 15. 1923 BY AIL/q #74 March 30 1926.

JITIYS.

Patented Mar.' 30, 1926.

UNITED STATES I 1,578,425 PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT B. GOLDBIGK, OI' QLEVELA ND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

ALBERT E'HODGINS, OF CLEVELAND OHIO.

VEHICLE SPRING COVER.

Application filed March 15, 1928. Serial No. 825,189.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, ALBERT a citizen'of the United States, residing at Cleveland in the county ofCuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certaln new and useful Im rovement in a Vehicle Spring Cover, 0 which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to vehicle. spring covers such as are adapted for the reception of lubricant underpressure.

The general object of the present invention is the. provision of a simple construc-v tion of an outer metallic casing for such a spring cover. More specifically, my invention is concerned with the novel arrangement of the metallic parts comprising the casing whereby an upper continuous strip and a lower continuous strip may be joined with relatively movable side plates to thereby surround four sides of the spring,'the relation of the side members being such as to permit the relative longitudinal shifting and flexing of the top and bottom members.

Other objects will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. The

- essential features are summarized in the claims.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of my improved cover as aplied to an automobile spring; Fig. 2 is a ragmentary side elevation showing the manner of positioning the parts to permit the ready assembling of the casing upon a vehicle spring; Fig. 3 is a transverse cross sectional view taken through the vehicle spring and a cover illustrating the manner of placing the cover over the spring; Flg. 4 is a cross sectional view taken substan tially along the line H in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view showing the construction of pivotal joint between one of the side members and the top member; Fig. 6

is a similar view showing a. similar construction between the bottom member and one of the side members; Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the co-activ'e relation of the adjacent edges of the plates.

' Among the commercial requirements of a successful spring cover are, that the cover shall have the'essential characteristics of easy flexibility and strength to resist interj naLpressures, the proper joining of the re- R. GOLDRIGK,

spective parts of the cover to withstand great shocks and sudden flexings, and the respective parts comprising the cover must be so arranged that the cover maybe readily assembled or attached to the vehicle springs without removing the spring from the vehicle.

To coordinate the fore oing characteristics in the construction of a spring cover, I have'arranged the metallic casing thereof as shown in Fig. 1 which may comprise an upper flat member 8 extending longitudinally of the spring and superposed along the top leaf thereof, and a bottom me.mber 9 having similar characteristics, positioned along the bottom of the spring and extending over the ends of the respective laminations or leaves comprising the spring. The top and bottom members are provided with side flanges 10 and Hand suitably notched as indicated at 12 and 13 respectively, to permit the flexing of the to members when the spring is eflected without causing a buckling or distorting of the side flanges 10 and 11. The purpose of the side flanges is to. rovide connections for the relatively movab e side lates 13, 14, 15, etc.

As shown in Fig. 2, t e diagonally opposite corners of the side plates are pivotally and slidably connected to the flanges of the top and bottom members in slots 30 and the flanges with an enlargedv portion 16 comprising the side late pivots and also affording a shoulder or the abutment of a washer 17, the length of the enlarged rivet and bottom portion 16 being slightly greater than the thickness of the side plates. Such a pivotal and slidable' construction between the plates and flanges is serviceable for three corners of the spring and may be made permanent before the spring cover is assembled on the sprlng.

The fourth series of pivotal connections as indicated at D in Fig. 3 however,z is slightly modified, whereby the plates com-v prisingone side of the cover may be, swung upwardly to permit the positionino of the cover upon the spring leaves by 2 simple slipping on movementfrom one side of the spring. As shown in Fig. 3, this position tool.

ing movement would be from the right of the spring leaves L to the left, the top and bottom members 8 and 9 having been previously drawn apart as shown in Fig. 2 to permit the flanges 10 and 11 to pass .over the spring. The top and bottom members may then be brought into engagement with the spring as illustrated in Fig. 4. The plates P' comprising the left side of the cover, may then be swung downwardly in the proper position and the fourth group of pivotal connections D may be made.

To expedite this final assembling of the cover upon the spring even by an unskilled workman, I provide a connection serving somewhat as a cotter pin. As shown in Fig. 6 this rivet member 20 has an enlarged body portion .20 similar to the body portion 16* of the rivet 16, but I prefer to split the outwardly projecting\ end 20 of this rivet, whereby a washer 21, positioned thereon after the blade P has been brought into engagement with the rivet, may be permanently held in position by the opening or spreading of the ends 20". This spreading may be .done with ordinary convenient gage the washer as ,shown in Fig. 6 and prevent its displacement thereafter. This arrangement likewise provides for the quick removal of the spring cover from the'vehicle in the event it is necessary to replace a broken spring leaf,--as the rivets 20 may be formed of very ductile metal to permit repeated bending or distorting.

I prefer to provide an inner fabric linin 22 which may be placed around the foursi es of the spring leaves with longitudinal edges 22 in overlapping relation. This fabaphite or other suitable material to make it lmpervious,to lubricant forced therewithin.

To have the side lates properly resist the internal pressure w en lubricant is forced therein, I arrange the adjacent ends of the side plates in the manner illustrated in Fig. 7. Here it will be noted an end portion 23 is upset an amount substantially equal to the thickness of the side plate and extends from the bottom edges of the plate adjacent its lower pivotal connection a distance substantially equal to half the height of the plate, the portion 23 extending over the disconnected corner of the adjacent plate 14. .A corresponding upset portion 24 is I formed along the, edge of the plate 14 adjacent its upper pivotal connection which engages the disconnected upper half of the ad acent end of the plate 13. The upper pivotal connection of the plate 14 thus serves as a lateral stifiening means for the upper disconnected portion of the plate 13, while the lower pivotally connected end of the plate-13 serves in a similar manner to laterally strengthen the disconnected lower end When open the split ends 20 en-- of the plate 14. Iarrange the adjacent ends of the respective plates in this manner whence all, of the plates are supported at the four corners thereof and thus support the inner fabric lining when lubricant is present therein under pressure while at the same time permitting the greatest degree of relative movement of the respective lates and consequently the greatest degree 0 flexing movement of the spring cover.

As shown in Fig. 4, I provide means for affording communication from the exterior of the cover to the interior of the lubricant receiving lining 22, which may comprise coupling means for connecting lubricant pressure means such as a grease gun, which ma be a lubricant receiving nipple 26 in threa ed engagement with the washer member 27 disposed within the lining 22. I provide an outwardly disposed washer member 28 which may be engaged by a shoulder 29 of the lubricant nipple 26 whereby the washers 27 and '28 may act upon the lining and the side plate 14, to bring the plate and lining in clamped relation and thereby prevent the escape. of lubricant.

From the foregoing description, it will be evident that I provlde a very simple and efficient construction for a vehicle sgrin cover which may be economically pro uce and assembled upon vehicle springs, the

relation of the movable parts being suchacter described, the combination of a top a member extending substantiallyone-half the length of the spring, a bottom member similarly extending along the spring and interengaging relatively movable side members 'pivotally connected to the top and bottom members, thepivot'al connectlons being in staggered relation, whereby said top member may shift longitudinally of the spring relative to saidbot-tom member.

2. In a vehicle spring cover of the character described, the combination of a metallic strip extending along the top of the spring, a similar strip along the bottom of the spring, thesides of the cover compris ing interengaging plates havin diagonal corners attached respectively to t e top and bottom members.

3. In a vehicle s rin cover of the character described, a plhraiity of interengaging side plates having two diagonal corners thereof attached to the top and bottom portions of the spring cover.

4. In a vehicle spring cover of the character described, the combination of a plurality of relatively movable interengaging side plates connected to the top and ottom portions of the spring, the connections of the res ective plates comprising pivots disposed iagonal y at the corners of the side plates.

5. In a vehicle spring cover of the character described, the combination of a single metallic member extending along the top of the spring substantially half the length thereof, a similar member extending along the bottom thereof, said top and, bottom members having downwardly and upwardly extending flanges respectively, a plurality of side members arranged to be interengaged whereby they may be relatively movable, and connectin members joining-the side members to the flanges of the top and bottom members.

6. In' a vehicle spring cover of the char acter described, the combination of a plurality of metallic strips extending longitudinally substantially half the length. of the ring, and a plurality of relativel movfable side members arranged to be mterengaging and pivotally connected tosaid longitudinally extending members.

7. In a vehicle spring cover of the character described, the combination of a top and bottom member extending the half length of the spring and relatively movable side members pivotally connected to the top and bottom members. v 1

8. In a vehicle spring cover of the character described, the combination of a metallic member extending along the top of the spring and having downwardly extending notched flanges arranged to embrace the sides of the spring leaves, a .similarly formed bottom member, and articulated sides com rising a plurality of relatively movable p ates having diagonal corners pivotally connected to the flanges of the top and bottom members respectively and, having the adjacent edges thereof formed to overlap disconnected corners of adjacent plates.

9. A vehicle spring cover comprising a single member forming the top of the cover, a single member comprising the bottom of the cover, the sides of the cover being formed of a series of articulated plates movable relative to the top and bottom members.

10. In a vehicle sprin cover of the character described. the com ination of a single top member, a bottom member, and interenable plates join'ed along the top and gagin relatively movable side members connecte to the to and bottom members.

11. In a vehic e spring cover, of the character described, the combination of a metallic strip extendin along the top of the spring, a similar strip along the bottom of the spring, and side walls comprising overlapping plates having two diagonal corners attached respectively to the top and bottom members.

12. In a vehicle spring cover of the character described having top and bottom members and a plurality of side plates having two diagonal corners thereof attached to top and bottom members of the spring cover.

13. In a vehicle spring cover of the char: acter described, the combination of a flanged metallic member extending along the to of the spring, a similar member extending along the bottom thereof, a" lurality of side mem ers arranged to be relatively movable and connected to said flanges of the top and acter described, the combination of a top and a bottom member extending longitudinally of the spring and side plates disposed in a common plane and constituting the side walls of the cover and connected to the top and bottom members.

15. A vehicle spring cover comprising-a single member comprising the top of the cover, a. single member comprising the bottom of the cover, the sides of the cover being formed of a series of relativel movbottom margins thereof to the side margins of the top and bottom members respectively. p

16. In a vehicle spring cover the combination of top and bottom flanged strips of metal and a plurality of relatively movable side members pivotally connected to the flanges of the strips.

17. In a vehicle spring coverthe combination of a'top and a bottmn strip of metal and side walls comprising a plurality of relatively movable plates" "isposed to'lle in a common plane.

18. In a vehicle spring cover the combi-- nation of a top and a-bottom strip of metal and side walls comprising a pluralit relatively movable interengaging side p ates disposed to-lie in, a substantially common plane.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto ailix my signature.

ALBERT R. GOLDRICK. 

